tales from thailand: Traditional Thai Sunday

Sunday morning our coordinator asked Alexis and I to come to school early and we were going to have lunch on a traditional Thai boat at a floating market. When we arrived at school, we found out that we were going to be participating in a ceremony to welcome monks to our school. Alexis and I were given traditional Thai skirts that belonged to Pi Ju (our coordinator) when she was younger. We weren't told much, but next thing we knew we were upstairs surrounded by female students in traditional Thai costume. I didn't even recognize some of my students because they had beautiful make up and costumes on... in their uniforms at school they all look so young! We were given cover up and blush to look like the dancers, but I was hoping for the dramatic eye liner and mascara (no such luck). Next, we all migrated downstairs where we were told to line up in the welcome parade and dance with the students. Traditional Thai dancing is a very beautiful thing to watch, but Alexis and I completely butchered the angelic moves. Struggling to keep up with my graceful students, I couldn't keep from laughing as we marched along trying to mimic the arm gestures of the students. Everyone told us we looked "beautiful" but I felt very clumsy and awkward. It was a really fun experience though, and I am glad we got to participate in an event that brought us closer to both the students and our co-workers.

After the monks came and blessed our school (which was the longest prayer session I have ever sat through..) we ate lunch in the school canteen. As usual, I had chicken and rice, but Alexis had a very unique dining experience. Thai people will eat anything you put in front of them, and I have seen them snack on some pretty repulsive things (such as chicken feet and dried squid). There was a brown substance in my chicken curry that I was avoiding because the consistency looked funny. My coordinator told me it was her favorite part of the curry. Alexis reached across and took a bite from my plate, just as Pi Ju said the words "chicken blood." I thought it was an organ of some sort and Alexis thought it was a mushroom... but it was cooked chicken blood. It kind of looked like a dark block of tofu ... and Alexis said it really wasn't bad tasting, it was just the idea of eating chicken blood that made it gross. Needless to say, I was all set with lunch.

After lunch we headed to the floating market where Pi Ju and another teacher, Pi Supah, bought us Thai snacks and treats. We bought the snacks and headed onto the traditional Thai boat. We enjoyed a nice cruise up the river and from the boat we saw a beautiful temple and local fisherman doing their work. Some of the buildings and docks were sinking into the river, and I felt like I was on a ride at Disney World. The rotting wood and sinking docks made it feel like I was on the jungle cruise, but it was all real, and I was reminded of the simplicity and the historic culture of Thailand. It was cool to observe local Thai people in their natural environment. Some local kids were swimming in the river and a few times I spotted people just hanging out in the tree tops, enjoying the peacefulness of the river. It was a really relaxing experience and again, it was nice to spend time with our co-workers. I think we are going to do another boat tour of a local farm where we travel up small canals to observe flower gardens and what it takes to work at a local farm in Thailand. The floating market was really close to our school, and I am very grateful that we have local Thai people to show us these hidden gems that Alexis and I would never find on our own.